The Edge of Heresy

The Edge of Heresy

Is it ok to question God’s Word? Can the Religion we claim to follow hold up to scrutiny, or have we become complacent in our understanding of Jesus and the Bible? Join Jamie and Cliff as they ask tough questions while exploring controversial topics about Doctrine, Spirituality and the Western Church’s affect on culture. We appreciate your support as we work to increase the audio/video quality of the podcast. Recording equipment is expensive! If you have a topic or question that you would like to hear us cover in a podcast please reach out to us on Facebook! read less

Religion & SpiritualityReligion & Spirituality

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S1E1: Walking on the Edge of Heresy - Revitalizing Spirituality & Challenging Religious Comfort Zones

S1E1: Walking on the Edge of Heresy - Revitalizing Spirituality & Challenging Religious Comfort Zones

Welcome to the first episode of the "The Edge of Heresy" podcast, where hosts Clifton Dugosh and Jamie Given embark on their mission to counter religious dogmatism and promote introspection and spiritual growth. Cliff articulates what being on the 'edge of heresy' entails, drawing connections to the audacious life of Jesus and his willingness to challenge societal and religious norms for the greater good. In this inaugural episode, Jamie narrates a captivating story about a church split due to doctrinal disputes. His choice to side with the group labelled as 'heretical' highlights his conviction about moving beyond religious conventions to gain a better understanding of God. They further explore the crucial role of questioning and introspection in faith. Through personal anecdotes, they posit how doubt and spiritual struggles can pave the way for growth and deeper understanding. They urge listeners not to fear theological inquiries, as this could enhance their intimacy and relationship with God. The hosts critique religious arrogance stemming from centuries of biblical analysis and interpretations, emphasizing the risk of overlooking the essence and spirit of teachings. Echoing the experience of early followers of Jesus, they illustrate how such arrogance could lead to a distorted comprehension of the divine. The aim of the podcast is to stir listeners out of their complacency, encourage critical thinking, challenge their beliefs, and guide them to embrace the 'shepherding' role in their spiritual journey. This episode assures engaging dialogues that will not only provoke thought but also enrich your understanding of religious texts and doctrines. In line with their vision of nurturing spirituality beyond the confines of Sunday sermons, the podcast delves deep into Christianity, spirituality, faith, and the act of compassion towards the needy. It furthermore highlights the significance of daily devotion and the dangers of spiritual complacency. The debut episode also elucidates upon the importance of the Old Testament in understanding Christ and salvation. The hosts encourage listeners to challenge their views, engage in discourse, and join them in their pursuit of a deeper understanding of Christianity. Tune in to invigorate your spiritual acumen and rejuvenate your faith. Join us for an insightful first episode and partake in our endeavor to defeat religious complacency, kindle spirituality, and truly embody Christianity!

Episodes

S1E1: Walking on the Edge of Heresy - Revitalizing Spirituality & Challenging Religious Comfort Zones

S1E1: Walking on the Edge of Heresy - Revitalizing Spirituality & Challenging Religious Comfort Zones

Welcome to the first episode of the "The Edge of Heresy" podcast, where hosts Clifton Dugosh and Jamie Given embark on their mission to counter religious dogmatism and promote introspection and spiritual growth. Cliff articulates what being on the 'edge of heresy' entails, drawing connections to the audacious life of Jesus and his willingness to challenge societal and religious norms for the greater good. In this inaugural episode, Jamie narrates a captivating story about a church split due to doctrinal disputes. His choice to side with the group labelled as 'heretical' highlights his conviction about moving beyond religious conventions to gain a better understanding of God. They further explore the crucial role of questioning and introspection in faith. Through personal anecdotes, they posit how doubt and spiritual struggles can pave the way for growth and deeper understanding. They urge listeners not to fear theological inquiries, as this could enhance their intimacy and relationship with God. The hosts critique religious arrogance stemming from centuries of biblical analysis and interpretations, emphasizing the risk of overlooking the essence and spirit of teachings. Echoing the experience of early followers of Jesus, they illustrate how such arrogance could lead to a distorted comprehension of the divine. The aim of the podcast is to stir listeners out of their complacency, encourage critical thinking, challenge their beliefs, and guide them to embrace the 'shepherding' role in their spiritual journey. This episode assures engaging dialogues that will not only provoke thought but also enrich your understanding of religious texts and doctrines. In line with their vision of nurturing spirituality beyond the confines of Sunday sermons, the podcast delves deep into Christianity, spirituality, faith, and the act of compassion towards the needy. It furthermore highlights the significance of daily devotion and the dangers of spiritual complacency. The debut episode also elucidates upon the importance of the Old Testament in understanding Christ and salvation. The hosts encourage listeners to challenge their views, engage in discourse, and join them in their pursuit of a deeper understanding of Christianity. Tune in to invigorate your spiritual acumen and rejuvenate your faith. Join us for an insightful first episode and partake in our endeavor to defeat religious complacency, kindle spirituality, and truly embody Christianity!

S1E2: Challenging Christianity

S1E2: Challenging Christianity

Welcome to a riveting episode of 'The Edge of Heresy' podcast, where hosts Clifton Dugosh and Jamie Given invite listeners to shatter the shackles of complacency in modern Christianity. In examining the alarming reality of 'Christian illiteracy', the duo encourages listeners to challenge their beliefs, and delve deeper into understanding the Bible, drawing inspiration from Martin Luther's bold stand in 1521. Much of this compelling discourse centers around the importance of active Bible study, discussing themes such as unlearning, relearning, and scriptural misunderstanding whilst highlighting the perils of the modern quick-fix 'verse of the day' culture. The hosts passionately exhort listeners to immerse themselves in the scriptures, akin to 'eating the bread of life' and discuss end time theologies and the broader question of comfort-seeking in challenging times. Embarking on a journey of critical investigation, the conversation explores profound theological concepts including the incarnation of God, the meaning behind the virgin birth, Satan's motives, and the significance of Jesus's 33 years. The dialogues push listeners past their comfort zone, bringing to light the transformative power of Scripture, and God's unconditional love. They emphasize the need for personalized faith and understanding, establishing personal beliefs through questioning, testing, and studying God's Word. Furthermore, they throw light on the process of hermeneutics, focusing on context in Biblical examination. The hosts discuss various Bible study tools and resources, underscoring an open, curious and reverent approach to scripture study. This enlightening episode is an urgent appeal to break free from spiritual stagnation and engage in a relentless pursuit of wisdom through the Bible, fostering a deeper understanding and intimate relationship with God.

S1E3: The Creator and His Creation - A Deep Dive into Divine Purpose

S1E3: The Creator and His Creation - A Deep Dive into Divine Purpose

Welcome to 'The Edge of Heresy' podcast where hosts Clifton Dugosh and Jamie Given explore Christian themes. This episode delves deep into the identity of God as our maker, and our status as His creations, examining how this acknowledgment can align our actions, attitudes, and feelings with His word. Our discussion references the life of William Tyndale, the renowned English biblical scholar who challenged conventional religious norms. We believe studying Tyndale's teachings offers valuable insights into recognizing God's rightful place as our Creator and understanding His divine design for us. We look at the recurring emphasis in scriptures on God as the Creator, particularly the repeated verses in Genesis referring to His acts of creation. Through this lens, we explore the purpose and potential of mankind as intentional designs of God. A highlight of the episode is an examination of the early formation of the church, which often involved power struggles over access to God and interpretation of His word. Those struggles underline the importance of understanding the supremacy and authority of God in establishing unity in worship practices. Circling back to God's rights as Creator, we affirm that He has total autonomy over His creations, which is fundamental to our lives and our divine calling. We draw comparisons between God's actions and those of worldly creators, providing an unusual perspective on God's sovereignty and wrath. Drawing inspiration from various sources, including the polytheistic Egyptian culture, we discuss how we sometimes wrongly categorize God and His actions. The Book of Job serves as an excellent case study, offering a unique understanding of God's supreme right over His creation. This episode encourages listeners to contemplate on their worldview and its alignment to their understanding of God as the creator. It underscores the comfort, hope, and future promised under God's lordship, and the repercussions of not recognizing this divine truth.

S1E4: Unraveling Our Divine Design - The Truth about Freedom, Purpose and God's Ownership

S1E4: Unraveling Our Divine Design - The Truth about Freedom, Purpose and God's Ownership

Delving into the Essence of Humanity: Freedom vs Ownership Delve into an indispensable conversation on the deceptive beliefs of autonomy and freedom in this episode of the Edge of Heresy. Hosts Clifton Dugosh and Jamie Given challenge these assertions and profoundly uncover the truth beneath, highlighting the Christian belief of being God's owned beings. Our Spiritual Existence and Role in God's Grand Scheme Through an introspective exploration of scriptures and narratives, Cliff and Jamie elaborate on how our purpose and existence parallel our spiritual alignment with God. They debunk misconceptions about freedom, underlining how the futile chase of autonomy often leads us into captivity. Tune in to discover a comprehensive understanding of our core existence and purpose within God's vast creation. Interpreting the Divine Purpose of Human Existence Thriving under God's law comes from embracing God as our heavenly Father and our obligation to obey Him. This episode sheds insightful light on human purpose beyond the surface, redefining the true meaning of living a purposeful life centered around God. Discover the Rewards and Consequences of Walking with God The episode highlights the importance of obedience, analyzing how it leads to blessings and prosperity irrespective of our beliefs. Discover how life outside the designated divine purpose may lead to an unfulfilling existence. A Journey of Faith: From Complacency to Purposeful Living We unravel the dangers of spiritual stagnation, urging listeners to understand the significance of their divine role. Rediscover your purpose, embrace repentance, and shed light on complacency's spiritual consequences. Tune in to this enlightening, faith-filled episode for a phenomenal damnation-to-redemption narrative.

S1E5: An Exploration of Sin, Obedience, and Divine Guidelines

S1E5: An Exploration of Sin, Obedience, and Divine Guidelines

In this thought-provoking episode, hosts Clifton and Jamie tackle a robust theological discussion on the intricacies of sin, obedience, and divine blessings. The hosts test the boundaries of established religious beliefs, presenting a challenging perspective that is poised to stimulate deep introspection. Sparked by an iconoclastic reanalysis of Adolf Hitler’s conduct, this conversation explores the paradoxical relationship between obedience and sin through the lens of sacred narratives involving prominent biblical figures such as Saul and David. The crux of the dialogue revolves around sin’s nature and its consequences, examining how sin stems from the heart’s intent and purpose rather than simple tangible actions. The episode delves into the unsettling dichotomy of divine commandment and sin, intersecting with the seductive allure of pride and ego. The famous parable of the Prodigal Son and the distressing narratives of Saul and David are invoked as vivid case studies, skillfully deconstructed to unravel the dynamic influence of our inner motives in determining sin. The talk further ventures into the often-overlooked realm of motives and the role they play in following and deviating from the Ten Commandments. The dichotomy of physical acts, intrinsic sin, and moral intention forms the epicenter of this discussion. In an unexpected twist, the host’s unique perspective categorically states that there is only one cardinal sin – Pride, which is identified as the genesis of every negative human indulgence, tying the conversation neatly back to Lucifer’s original fall. This episode concludes by inspiring listeners to introspect deeply on personal actions, battle the cloak of complacency, and strive towards righteous living.

S1E6: A Biblical Deep Dive into the Complexity and Implications of Sin

S1E6: A Biblical Deep Dive into the Complexity and Implications of Sin

Engage in a profound exploration of sin, grace, and theology in this enlightening episode of the Edge of Heresy podcast. Hosts Clifton Dugosh and Jamie Given delve into the depths of sin, stirring thought-provoking discussions about the essence and destructive potential of sin beyond the surface understanding as per the Old and New Testaments. Listen in as they grapple with intriguing questions like "Is a sin still a sin even if it's not committed willfully?" and "Does God punish different sins differently?" The conversation also takes a deeper look at the complexities of sin, drawing from scriptures and historical accounts like the First Great Awakening in America. The hosts navigate the complexities of sin, its origins, and real-world ramifications, as well as the role of the Holy Spirit and the human conscience. The consequences of sin - causing various forms of death; a separation from God, ourselves, and our loved ones; also form a crucial part of the discussion. Moreover, this episode dissects divisive topics such as eternal security and offers a balanced perspective grounded in scriptural teachings. It shines a light on the intricacies of sin, salvation, and the grace of God. The transcripts present controversial ideas like the abuse of God's grace and complacency in sin. The ratio of sin to divine punishment and the gravity thereof, in both earthly existence and the afterlife, is investigated. This discussion goes beyond standard episodes and encourages listeners to question their understanding of sin. It prompts introspection and spiritual growth, examining the toll of sin on the human mind, heart, and spirit. As a result, it fosters a deeper comprehension of God's love, grace, and the pain that He feels upon witnessing human self-destruction. Toward the end, the hosts begin to explore the idea of contract law in the context of sin and plan to delve deeper in the next enlightening conversation. In its entirety, this episode promises to intrigue listeners, stirring thoughts and compelling a fresh examination of the understanding of sin, grace, divine plan and salvation.